I would like to have my GED for many reasons. I don’t think anyone should drop out of high school and not at least attempt to get their GED.

I dropped out of high school because I had a lot of family issues. I lived on the Cape and my family didn’t have a lot of money. I never had transportation to school and when I did get there, I couldn’t handle half the things I went through on a daily basis. I wasn’t strong enough emotionally. I am not that head strong and I try not to let things get me down, but once I’m down, I am down.

I realized I didn’t want to have to go through what I was going through with my family, as much as I love my family. I tried to do good. I tried to do better for myself, as well as for my family. My aunts let me move to Bolton and stay with them so I could get my life together. I got a job and started taking courses for my GED. I am really trying to succeed in life. I have overcome many obstacles and have been given another chance to do better. I want to get a good education and get accepted into a good college, become a veterinarian or doctor.

Most colleges won’t accept people who don’t have their high school diploma or some, even a GED. You have to have excellent grades in high school and participate in school sports to get accepted into good colleges. I am afraid I’ll do my best to pass the GED test(s) and I won’t get into any college. I have to go to college.

I don’t think it’s fair; people, especially teenagers who want to do good for themselves, who don’t have a lot of money or a car, get limited options. If it weren’t for my aunts, I wouldn’t be doing too good right now. My options were limited.

I really would like to get my GED so I can go to college and get a good job that pays well. Most people don’t know what it’s like not having to worry about their bills and struggle from week to week for money to buy food after all the bills are paid. So many families in this country struggle, mine included. I don’t want to have to go through that. Having to work for everything you have and having limited options for things makes you appreciate life more and not take things for granted. I want to be able to have a roof over my family’s head, have a good sized house, have my bills paid to the cent, have clothes on my children’s backs, food in their mouths, have money for leisure and school for my kids, and have a reliable vehicle, maybe even two. Basically, I want to live a fantasy life. Even if I don’t get all those things, there isn’t anything wrong with trying for them.

I really hope I get my GED and gave many points as to why I am trying to get it. I’m sure whoever reads this will understand that. These are all reasons why I want my GED.

Nicole Steede is a GED student at The Clinton Adult Learning Center.